Tag Archives: Angelina Jolie Maleficent

Creating the new, (such as the Disney “Maleficent” movie, or my own drawing of that “Evil Enchantress”) while preserving the essence of the old. I used heavy, black charcoal strokes and just four types of green in my latest “Where Pictures Shine” release, a Numbered Limited Edition of 24.

Four Caran d’Ache Neopastel colors used in Maleficent art by Douglas Rickard

Drawing Maleficent by Douglas Rickard

Walt Disney Classics Collection Maleficent figurine by Kent Melton

I think that I have captured not only Kent Melton’s 1999 Walt Disney Classic Collection 10” piece with this minimalist portrait; but also I hope, the original Marc Davis “Sleeping Beauty” animated character, which the sculpture brought from two dimensions to three, before I brought it back again, to a line drawing.

Maleficent Numbered Limited Edition Art by Douglas Rickard

Maleficent art

In “Maleficent” Angelina Jolie channels the 1950s movie villainess’ ink and paint, especially when she smiles. She actually gave me a wave you know, (along with a dozen others) on her way in for a “Maleficent” costume event at Kensington Palace. Fortunately I saw that exhibit later… (outside royal grounds).

The palace scenery for me, in “Maleficent” was even more breathtaking than the magical moors. Modernist colors in “Sleeping Beauty” bled out from those stylized characters in the medieval Walt Disney story. In “Maleficent,” the richest, seemingly ancient and long-lost colors surround you in three dimensions, literally, depending upon which screening you choose.

“Maleficent” wonders why King Stefan and even Flora, Fauna and Merryweather already knew the uninvited fairy would be bad news. It’s fascinating to trek into what could have been their pasts. But as even Angelina Jolie said “there is not just simply good and bad,” I wished the good weren’t painted quite so simply bad in this story.

The actors with their amazing costumes, even the crowds in the castle halls reminded me of realistic illustrations of fairy tales by Eric Winter in original British Ladybird books; a delight to behold. But I enjoyed the live-action re-interpreting of, and nods to, the original “Sleeping Beauty” animated movie most, whether it be a cottage, a lopsided cake or an edge of your seat Christening exchange.